As the world watched the events in Ukraine in the spring of 2022 with mixed feelings of horror and compassion, I had no choice but to act. Volunteering was not just a choice - it was a necessity, a mission forced upon me by my heart.  

In 2022, when war started in Ukraine, my friend's request for help quickly turned into a big mission. More than 50 volunteers coordinated thousands of Ukrainians on free bus transports, organised in partnership with partners and donors. This mission not only helped Ukrainians to safety, but also laid the basis for our collective commitment and action. 

We had to face many challenges. Most of them were related to a lack of time or resources, or to the difficult stories of escape from the Ukrainians. For example, one of the most usual challenges was when many people booked seats on several buses to be on the safe side, which caused confusion. Or some people did not get on our buses because of long queues at the border.  

In times of crisis, straight-forward solutions do not always work, and we found that personal contact and individual advice are invaluable. Our job was to understand everyone's unique situation. Although we no longer coordinate people to Finland, the same desire and attitude to help continues. Today, we offer advice and guidance on every possible aspect of living in Finland. 

There were also lighter, fun moments during the difficult crisis volunteering. One memorable story involves a Ukrainian who was worried about the future of their pet rabbit. Many of our volunteers received questions from the same person about taking the rabbit with them, and when they finally got the information they needed, they ventured onto our bus. The picture they sent us of their rabbit on its way to Finland decorated the wall of our office for a long time. It was a small but heart-warming victory for all the volunteers. 

From help-seekers to helpers 

We are now halfway through our project, but the work has not diminished. Help-seekers are increasingly discovering our services, and their positive experiences are the best advertisement. We are constantly improving our activities, training more volunteers, and expanding our support worker activities. Our next goal is to grow even further outside Uusimaa. 

It has been particularly meaningful to see how Ukrainians who came to Finland because of the war have joined our volunteer team. Their contribution has been invaluable, both in our relief work and in their own integration. By helping, they have learned new things and have been able to speed up their own integration process.  

Currently, all our volunteers are immigrants. Our volunteers have the flexibility to work around their own schedules, whether it is chatting support or personal assistance at the airport. Even small acts can be effective and create a sense of security for those who have escaped war. 

I am deeply grateful to all our volunteers, our partners and the Board of the House of Helsinki association who have supported us and enabled us to continue our work in difficult situations. Together, we have shown that volunteering is not only empowering, but also a community bonding activity where everyone can find their own way to help and develop themselves.